Store wall furniture



A. VANDERVELD I STORE WALL FURNITURE Jan. 20, 1 953 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Oct. 18, 1948 llllllllln- V Ill uvemoa ANTHONY VANDERVELD BY ATTORNEYS Jan. 20, 1953 A. VANDERVELD 2,626,198

STORE WALL FURNITURE Original Filed Oct. 18, 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 7 'INVENTOR Amman VANDERVELD A'rroausvs Jan. 20, 1953 VANDERVELD 2,626,198

STORE WALL FURNITURE I Original Filed Oct. 18, 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet s 2 v \NVENTOR Ann-101w VANDERVELD BY ATTQRNEYS Jan. 20, 1953 A. VANDERVELD STORE WALL FURNITURE 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Oct. 18, 1948 Arroauews Jan. 20, 1953 A. VANDERVELD STORE WALL FURNITURE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Oct. 18, 1948 t l/ A N \NVEN'TOR ANTHONY Vmoeavew A'n'oszuevs Jan. 20, 1953 A. VANDERVELD 2,6 8.

' STORE WALL FURNITURE Original Filed 0c t. 18, 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 luvewroa ANTHONY VAuuekvEw Awovmivs Jan. 20, 1953 A. VANDERVELD 2,626,198

STORE WALL FURNITURE Original Filed Oct. 18, 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 4% 'Ymwzl.

5l4? Yl 6.- 2.5.

o \WEMTOR l Amwiouv VANDERVELD 70 4L? /7 Awsamevs Jan. 20, 1953 A. VANDERVELD 2,626,198

, STORE WALL FURNITURE Original Filed Oct. 18, 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 lNVENTOR 'Awmouy VANDERVELD BY J 1 Arroauavs Patented Jan. 20,1953

signor to Grand Rapids St'oreFEquipment-"Com pany, Grand-Rapids, Micha a corporation of Michigan- Original application ctober18", "1948, Serial No.

55,138, now Patent No. 2,580, 334,-dated'December 25, 1951. Dividedandtliisapplication D-' cember 27, 1949, Serial No. 135,149-

4 Claims. 1

This inventionrelates to a novel, economically constructed and, in general, universally adaptablewall store furniture structure, .by means of which a plurality of successive store furniture units may be assembled in longitudinal alignment, each of which may be adapted selectively to become shelving. units, display units, units receiving drawer assemblies, receiving means for supporting hanger rods upon which garments may be suspended, and many other different adaptations for the effective carrying and dis-' play of articles of merchandise, particularly in the dry goods and clothing departments of stores, the furniture of. my invention being primarily adapted for use against the walls of the stores.

This application is divided from application Ser. No. 55,138 filed October 18, 1948, now Patent No. 2,580,334.

One primary object of the present invention is to provide a standard chassis structure which is-common to substantially all of the aligned connected store fixture units,.which may be assembled ingreater orless number, as many as maybe desired along the wall of a store and in many cases" underneath a balcony.

A further'object of the invention is to pro novel means for a detachable connection ofbracket arms for supporting shelving, and of other detachable connections for a variety of attachments of various generally well-known used accessories for the carrying, in a readily accessible position; the'merchandise which thestructure handles.

The structure is-one which is fabricated at the manufacturing plant and is shipped in disassembled form but is very readily and-easily assembled at a destination where it is to be used. Such store structure is readily taken down for removal from one'part of a store to another, or for removal to a different store, such furniture being a salable asset because. of the ease with which it is disassembled and 'moved. and reas-a sembled whenever wanted without damage. --An understanding of the invention may beh-adf-rom the following description; taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in'which,

Fig. 1' is a diagrammatic perspective view, showing an assembly of a pluralityofi the-store furniture units of my invention in .longitudinal alignment'and with variousflX-tures therewithin,

Fig. :2: is-a fragmentary perspective view showing a plurality of bases of successiveunits, as they are initiallyassembled in the. first step of erecting the store furniture in a store,

Fig.-3--is a vertical section from front to rear substantially'on the' planeof line -33rof- Fig. 4,

Fig. 4 is a somewhat enlarged -fragmentary plan view: of the adj acent: ends of; two bases-connect'ed together,

Fig. 5 is afragmentaryperspectiveview showing assembled-basesand-frames used between the adjacent ends ofsuccessi-ve bases, one-secured in place and the other as it is being located in position to besecured."

Figs. 6 and 'l-are fragmentary'enlargedlongitudinalsections, substantiallyonthe planes 1of-.lines 66-and l-'!, respectively, of Fig; 5.- I

Fig. 8 i is? awperspective view, similar to Fig. 5, showingstheassembly of verticalback panels with and between rear posts" of the verticalframes secured at adjacent ends of successively aligned bases;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentarypemarged, transverse section-on the plane of line 9'9 of Fig. -8.

.Fig. 10' is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sec- .tion': substantially on the plane of' line Iii-l9 Moi Fig. 8.

Fig; '11 is;a:fragmentary; horizontal section and plan through the "wall store furniture: at. the end of s'a 'bas'e showing. the vertical partition which maybe used between adjacent bases:

Fig. 512 is a: vertical section substantially on the plane .of'iline. l 2-4 2 oflFi'g. -11.

Fig. .13 is a vertical section substantiallyron -the plane offline l3-l 3 of Figz l1.

Fig;.14 is. a fragmentary longitudinal vertical section substantially on the: plane of line l4-l4 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 15is a vertical section through thewall furniture. fromfront to rear, illustrating the. attachment of awfront pilaster which may bellocated between the: adjacent ends of bases.-

Fi'g: 1 6 -is a similar. verticalsection'showing-the application of a vertical dividing partitions and attached' pilastersat the same; location.

Fig. 17' isa fragmentary, vertical-sectionon theaplaneofrline l I ll! of Fig. 19.

Figs-I18-and-19 are fragmentary transverse vertical sections on the plane of line I8I8 of Fig. 17, Fig. 18 showing a pilaster and Fig. 19 a connected partition and pilaster.

Fig. 20 is a section similar to Fig. 18 wherein a vertical partition with attached front pilaster is shown being applied, the vertical height thereof being less than the height of the store furniture.

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section through a rear post, illustrating the connection of a short vertical partition to the post.

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary perspective view showpartition.

Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the top structure used with the wall furniture.

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse 1 vertical section substantially on the plane of line 26-26 of Fig. 27, and,

Fig. 27 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal vertical section substantially on the plane of line Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figures of the drawings, and the sectional views are taken looking in the directions indicated by the arrows associated with the section lines.

In the structure of the wall store furniture which I have built embodying my invention, a

plurality of bases of rectangular form, as many as may be needed for an installation of the furniture to be located against a wall length are provided, which bases are duplicates of each other and which are located in alignment. Each base has an upper rectangular horizontal top I to which, at each end, a rail 2 is secured having outer sides flush with the ends of the top and extending from the rear edge toward but terminating a short distance back of its front edge. A front rail 3 is located underneath the overhanging front portion of the top and against the front ends of the end rails 2, and is permanently secured in place. The front rail 3 at each end extends a short distance beyond the end rails 2, and the adjacent ends of the top. A back rail 4 is attached at the underside of the top between the rear ends of the end rails 2. The top I at its rear upper corner is rabbeted to provide a rectangular groove 5 which is completed at its rear side by a vertical sheet metal plate 6 secured to the rear edge of the top as shown in Fig. 3.

To each end rail, at the outer side thereof, a

bar I is connected which extends from the back and of each rail 2, to the front rail 3. The bars I are disposed below the upper sides of the rails 2 to which they are attached, and the outer sides of the bars are located inwardly a short distance from the ends of the front rails 3, so that when two of the bases are placed end to end in alignment, with adjacent ends of the front rails 3 of above theupper sides of the bars I to which at- Said plates extend" tached and each plate is slotted from one end toward but short of the other with a slot 9, the

1 lower side of each slot 9 being substantially flush with the upper side of the bar I to which attached. The plates 8 on two successive bases lie against each other with their slots 9 in conjunction. Locking plates II) of flat metal are provided, each longitudinally slotted between side edges from one end toward the other end as at I I. Such plates II) are connected with the plates 8, the slots II receiving the plates 8 between them and the slots 9 in the plates 8 receiving the plates I0 beyond the slot II thereof. This firmly but releasably locks and connects the aligned bases at their adjacent ends in a firm connection and with a space between adjacent ends of the tops I of successive bases equal to the combined thicknesses of the bars I and plates 8; and with adjacent ends of the front rails 3 contacting each other. The plates I0 may be sprung or bent away from a horizontal plane to be more readily struck and driven over the vertical plates 8.

A frame, known as a C-frame in practice, is secured at and between the adjacent ends of the horizontally aligned bases. Each frame includes a back post of channel form of metal, having spaced rearwardly extending flanges I2, each of which terminates in a generally cylindrical roll I3 for strength and for reinforcement. The web of the vertical channel post at the front thereof is pressed rearwardly into a channel form having a back I4 and forwardly extending short sides I5 which connect with the flanges I2 of the main channel through the remaining portions of the front web of the main channel, one at each side of each side I5 of the smaller channel longitudinally in the web thereof.

A metal lower horizontal bar of inverted channel form has an upper web I6, and downwardly extending flanges IT. The upper web or side I6 is cut away at the rear so that the flanges I! at their back ends embrace the rear post, one against each on side I2 thereof, and are spot welded or otherwise permanently connected thereto. The flanges I! at their front ends are partially cut away, leaving short narrow flanges IIa (Fig. 5). The flanges II (Fig. 6) enter the space between adjacent ends of the tops I, and between the adjacent ends bars 2, reaching at their lower edges to the bars I. At the rear portion of said horizontal channel member, a plate I3 with vertical guide rolls thereon for long screws I9, is spot welded at the inner sides of the flanges I1, and the screws I9 pass through the top or web I6 and said guides and are driven into the bars I.

At the front of each of the lower horizontal channel bars, other-shorter screws 20 are similarly connected with the front rails 3 (Fig. 7). The recesses provided by cutting away the front ends of the flanges I'I permits the lower bar of each C-frame to reach to the front edges of the tops I, and in practice, said front ends are closed by turning down a short section at the end of the top web It. The upperside of a .web I6 is in the same horizontal plane with the upper sides of the two base tops I between which located.

At the front side of each of the back posts a special channel structure is located detachably secured. Such channel structure includes an outer channel having a back web 2| and forwardly extending side flanges 22, each of which at its front edge portion is turned outwardly to provide terminal flanges 23parallel to and spaced from the front web of the main'channel posts (Figs. 9 and 11). Each of the side flanges 22 has a plurality of spaced tongues 24, lengthwise thereof, struck inwardly (Figs. 12 and 13). Within this outer channel a second channel is provided having a back web 25 located against and spot welded to the back web 2| of the first channel. From the web 25 side flanges 26 extend in a forward direction, paralleling and spaced from the side flanges 22 of the outer channel within which the second channel is located. This channel structure consisting of the connected outer and inner channelsis detachably secured to the back 14 of the. rearwardly pressed or formed longitudinal channel recess of the main post by shouldered screws 21, the heads of which at their rear sides are spaced short distances from the back web 25.. The

inner channel at its front open side,'for: sake of appearance when not otherwise closedpmay be covered by a thin metal facing 28 having yielding or spring sides which are inserted between the side flanges 26 as shown in Fig. '9.

Each C-frame iscompleted by an upper horizontal member spaced from and paralleling the lower previously described horizontal member. The'upper member is comprised of two channels placed with their webs back to back and spot welded or otherwise permanently secured togethenwith their flanges extending in opposite directions. Each ofthe webs of the two channel members which make up the I-beam thus-provided, at its front endhas a tongue 30, the two tongues extending in opposite directions. web l4,,at theupper end of the main post, has an opening through which the I-beam' structure passes and it also passes through an opening on a vertical plate 3| which is welded to the rolls l3 at the rear side of each post and at the upper end portion thereof. The I-beam structure'is secured to said web I4 and plate 3| where it passes through them by welding thereto, and for greater strength and reinforcement a bar 32-is welded to the top side of the I-beam and brought against the back post with which it is associated and welded to the'post. This pro vide a strong and rigid frame of ample strength to withstand any service to'which it is subjected.

A back for the structure is providedin a panel 33 one for each unit of the structure: The panel 33isof. rectangular form, and at "its'lower'e'dge isreceived'in'the groove 5 in the'base' top I" (Fig. being retained'by the plate E. In-the' assembly (Fig. 8) a special channel structure is se-- cured in place at the front of one of the posts, for example, the one at the right inFi'g. 8, and a vertical edge of the back panel 33 inserted back of'a flange 23. The back panel is then swung so i that its other verticaledge portion comes against the other post and its lower edge over the groove 5 and after being thus located, the other'special channel structure is secured to the other post by means of the screws 2?. It will be noted (Figs. 8 and 25) that the special channel structures extend at their upper ends only to the lower side of wall-furniture, each having'a front pilaster at its- The front edge, may'be assembled in place; .The partitions, when used, may-extend the full distance between the -upper and lower horizontal members of a c frame' with which: associated; "or only from-the 1 lower horizontal 'member part waytoward the upper member of the frame; In: some cases only the pilaster" may be: attached in: place at the front of and between the adjacent ends-of two units. -In-use for hanging dressesv or other garments-n0 partition will be used between the units.

The partition con'sists 1 of arectan'gular..: ane1 34' having :athickness such that r it i is snugly r eceived'bet-ween' the sides-26 of the'last described channel of the specialcha'nn'elstructure secured at the frontof each post (Figll). Thepilaster includes an elongated; vertical sheet. metal" for-m having-a web 35-adapted tobe' secured at the front edge of a partition. 34 by'meansof screws, and with sides 36 paralleling each other which, at their outer sides areflush withv theoutensid'es of the partition-34, extending outwardlytherefromand terminating in inwardly. turned short flanges 31. Between the front and rear'edges? of the sides 36, vertical grooves 38 are rolled: or otherwise formed inwardly extending toward each other, inthebottoms of each of whic'hoa pluralityof. spaced vertical. slots 39-are cut-*(Figs. l land 18) The pilaster. is completedtby ayertical frontrnember 40 ofwoodgrooved at' opposite sides near its inneredgeso as tofhave a. longitudinal slidable connection with .the sides. 36- ofi the metal channel and held between the-terminal flanges 31 and inwardly pressed 'groovesuon-ribs 3.8. The front. edge of Z theifront I pilaster 'post' 46 iszflushwith. the front .edges ofthelower web It and with thebase' tops l.v

Each. pilaster when it is attachedtoz'a vertical dividing partition, or an end 34 of the furniture, at its-upper end is equippedwith a sheet metal tongue formed. from a plate of sheet .metal .with oppositely extendinghorizontal flangesJl tandan inverted U-shaped rib 42 extending upwardly therefrom, the legs of which'are in close'contact with eachother. This-memberv isv welded to and closesthe upper end of the sheet metal channel at therear side of the pilaster. When": the pilaster is used-alone and not connected to apartition 34 (Fig. 18) ,itis formed with a similar member madeiof sheet metal:with opposite flangesM and a vertically extending U.-form 42v which at-its rear portion is extended vertically intoafinger 43. The websof the two channels29, which providethe upper-I-beamof each C-frame, are machined at their adjacentsides and at their-lower portions (Figs. 18 and 19) so asto cut away suflicient metal that the rib may be moved rearwardly slidably in the space left as in.Fig...l 6 ,.or when a pilaster is used alone, the upwardly. projectingfinger 43 may be first-inserted in the recess toreceive it and the. pilaster then swung atits lower end to the rear to connect with the.lower horizontal member of its assooiatedscdrame.

The rear metal member ofthe pilaster in all cases is provided at its lower end with a releasable latch to connect it with the-uppersidelfi or the lower horizontal C-frame member. The latch comprises a sheet metal member of channel form having a web 44 and spaced flanges 45'located back of the ribs formingthe grooves 38, said'side flanges 45 at their lower ends extending below the back web 441 This provides a movable latch which may be lifted by, engaging therewith through a slot 46 Ma side 36"to the rear pilaster member so as to lift the latch to permit the pilaster to be swung to position in Fig. 15 at its lower end or the attached pilaster and partition 34 moved slidably to the rear. When the pilaster has reached its rearmost position at its lower end, the projecting lower ends of the sides 45 of the latch come to and enter slots 41 (Fig. 22) made in the web l6 of the lower horizontal frame member.

If a partition of less Vertical height or, for example, one-half or one-third of the vertical height of a full partition is used, as shown at 34a in Figs. 20 and 21, the same look is used at the lower end of the short pilaster connected therewith, and the rear vertical edge portion of the partition 34a entered between the sides 26 of the special channel structure. At the .upper end of rear edge of the short partition 3411, a short metal bar 48 is permanently secured oflset rearwardly at its upper end and notched to embrace the shouldered portion of a screw 27 back of the head of the screw, the short partition and pilaster beingthus detachably secured in place.

As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, bracket arms 48 equipped at their rear ends, each with a hook 49 and spaced rearwardly extending projections 50 (Fig. 12) are adapted to be detachably connected with the pressed-out tongues or lugs 24 on the channel sides 22. The spaces between adjacent flanges or sides 22 and 2B of the channels being but slightly greater than the thickness of the metal of the arms 48. Horizontal shelves may be supported between the brackets I at each end of any unit or units of the structure, or garment hanger rods extended between said brackets. The brackets are held firmly in any position in which adjustably located, and may be adjusted to any of a large number of vertical positions. They are readily secured in place alongside a vertical dividing panel partition 34.

Similarly, flat bars (Fig. 13) having a width vertically equal to the distance between two successive tongues 24, and connected one to each end of the horizontal shelf 52, may have their rear end portions, which extend back of the rear edge of the shelf, inserted between any two adjacent tongues, the shelves extending forwardly and, at their under sides being equipped with metal lugs having hooks 53 adapted to be detachably inserted through selected openings 39 in the bottoms of grooves 38. Such connection of intervening shelves between vertical dividing partition panels, holds the partitions against spreading at their front portions irrespective of whether the partitions are of full or only partial height. Thus the interior of the spacing between the two end panels of the structure as shown in Fig. 1 and above the bases and in front of the backs of the successive units of the furniture structure may be equipped with shelves, or have compartments into which drawer sections are insertable; or connected with the metallic rear channel portions of the pilasters at the front, a sliding door carrying frame may be connected by using the openings at 39 in accordance with the previous practices of mounting such door carrying frames. Such merchandise receiving space may be divided and arranged as wanted and also may be rearranged whenever desired. A front pilaster may extend between the front ends of the upper and lower horizontal members of each of the 0- frames, either with or without connection to a vertical dividing partition back of it.

The top of an assembled structure includes for "each unit, a top board or panel 54 of rectangular L form (Fig. 25) to be located directly over each of the unit bases. It is assembled by sliding it to the rear over the lower flanges of the upper horizontal members of two successive C-frames. Each of said top panels at its rear edge and near each corner is notched or recessed at 55 leaving a lug at each rear corner, which may be metal reinforced as shown in Fig. 25, to enter the rearwardly pressed channel front web of the main post of said C-frames. By this means the C- frames are held from spreading at the top which might let the top fall or the panel back 33 get out of place. Each of the top panels 54 at its under side and near its rear edge is rabbeted to produce an under groove 55 (Fig. 26) into which the upper edge portion of the associated back panel 33 is received.

The thickness of each panel 54 is less than the vertical distance between the flanges of the channel members 29, and less than the distance between the lower edges of the laterally bent tongues 30 and the lower flanges of the channels. After the top panel 54 has been moved to the rear and connected with a back 33, a holding bar 51 is located over each end of the panel between its upper side and the upper flange of the associated channel 29. A shown in Fig. 25, a holding bar is of metal having upper and lower spaced flanges and a vertical back, the flanges at both ends being reduced in thickness and each end of the channel form thus made, closed by an end 58. Of course, a bar of wood of the same form, except that it is solid may be used as an equivalent. The rear, thinner end of the bar 51 comes against the bottom web I4 of the channel pressed in the face of the main post, and the front end lies back of a tongue 30. Each of the tongues 30 has a screw threaded opening through it.

The last thing done in assembling the furniture is to secure an upper front rail 59, which is of a height so that its upper edge is substantially flush with the upper flanges of channels 29, and its lower edge flush with the under side of the top panel 54. Screws 60 pass through the end portions of the top front rails 59 and thread through the tongues 30, passing closely adjacent to the edge of the closed end 58 of the top holding bar, thereby locking and securing the bar against removal until the screws 60 have been withdrawn. The top panels are held and secured against movement.

The novel structure described, in an assembly of a plurality of said units in longitudinal alignment, contains duplicat bases, duplicate C-frames, duplicate special channel structures to be secured at the front side of the back posts of the frames, duplicate top panels and means for releasably securing them in place, so that in manufacturing the parts of the structure used may be produced in large quantities, all duplicate parts being of the same dimensions and interchangeable. The partitions and pilasters, whether the pilasters are connected to the partition or separate therefrom, are likewise duplicated in making, and interchangeable in use. The short length vertical dividing partitions and their associated pilasters preferably are of standard vertical dimensions, while the horizontal shelves detachably connecting therewith and to the rear, special panel structure secured to the back posts, are of standard dimensions and are manufactured in duplicate in large quantities. The wall store furniture of my invention is readily assembled and disassembled, the parts fitting together, there being required in the assembly, the

use of only a screwdriver to turn and tighten the screws used. The assembled structure is strong and is rigid against change of position of the parts with respect to each other. The pilasters at the front when used, either alone or connected to the vertical dividing panels, have their fronted edges flush with the front edge of the base tops I, and the front sides of the upper rails 59 (Figs. 18 and 19). There is economy of manufacture and the interior space of any number of the units which make up an assembly of such units may be arranged in accordance with the wishes and desires of the store owner for the most effective carrying and display of merchandise.

The invention is defined in the appended claims and is to be considered comprehensive of all forms of structure coming with-in their scope.

Iclaim:

1. In store furniture, a plurality of bases adapted to be located in longitudinal alignment, each including a rectangular top, end rails underneath the top having outer sides substantially flush with the ends of the top, front rails extending lengthwise of the top and thereunder and at each end extending a distance beyond the adjacent end of the top, a bar located at the outer side of and secured to each end rail, said bar being of less height than the end rail to which attached, the upper sides of said bars being in a plane below the upper sides of said end rails, vertical plates attached at the outer sides of each of said bars and extending thereabove, said plates being longitudinally horizontally slotted from one end thereof toward but short of the other end, being located against each other with the slots therein in conjunction, and flat metal plates located in a generally horizontal position over the bars connected to the end rails of two successive bottom sections, each of said plates being slotted between its side edges from one end toward but short of the other end, said horizontal plates entering the slots of the first mentioned plates and releasably connecting them together, adjacent ends of front rails being substantially in abutting engagement.

2. A bottom section for store furniture comprising, a horizontal top of rectangular form, a front rail located underneath said top 1ongitudinally thereof adjacent its front edge, said front rail on each end extending a short distance beyond the adjacent end of the top, an end rail located underneath and secured at each end of the top extending from the front rail to the rear edge of the top, a bar located at the outer side and lengthwise of each end rail having its upper side below the upper edge and the end rail, and a plurality of plates of flat metal secured to the bar on the outer side of each end rail in spaced relation to each other extending above the upper side thereof, each of said plates being slotted from one vertical edge toward and terminating short of the other vertical edge thereof.

3. In store furniture, a plurality of bases adapted to be located in longitudinal alignment, each having a horizontal rectangular top and each having a front rail secured to and located underneath the top, said front rail at each end extending beyond the adjacent ends of its associated top, whereby successive bases have adjacent ends of their tops spaced from each other and adjacent ends of front rails abutting each other, means for releasably securing aligned bases at their adjacent ends together, a bottom bar located in the space between adjacent ends of said bases, extending from the front to the rear edges of successive tops of aligned bases,

means for securing said bar in such space to said front end rails and to the bases back of the front rail, a vertical post secured at the rear end of each bottom bar, and an upper horizontal bar permanently secured to the post adjacent its upper end extending forwardly therefrom.

4. A plurality of bases for store furniture located in longitudinal alignment, each base having a horizontal rectangular top and including a front rail under and secured to said top adjacent and paralleling the front edge of the top, with the upper side of said front rail in the same horizontal plane as the under side of the top, said front rail at each end extending a short distance beyond the adjacent end of the top to which secured, whereby aligned bases with adjacent ends of front rails abutting each other are spaced from each other at adjacent ends of said tops, means in said space below the successive ends of tops of bases back of the front rail for releasably securing longitudin- 1 ally aligned bases together with ends of front rails thereof in abutting engagement and with adjacent ends of said tops held spaced from each other equal distances from front to rear thereof, a frame having a vertical back post and a, horizontal forwardly extending inverted channel bar secured adjacent the lower end of the back post overlying the ends of said aligned bases, with the flanges of the channel bar extending downwardly into said space, and means for securing said channel bar to said bases, said channel bar at its front end extending over adjacent end portions of abutting front rails of the bases.

ANTHONY VANDERVELD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 710,086 Tramblay Sept. 30, 1902 1,245,918 Himmel Nov. 6, 1917 1,250,110 Vanderveld Dec. 11, 1917 1,498,698 Schwartz June 24:, 1924 1,670,028 Eustis May 15, 1928 2,001,222 Stensgaard May 14, 1935 2,327,743 Rosenberg Aug. 24, 1943 2,484,283 Gilbert Oct. 11, 1949 

